“Wait, you expect me to fly with you? In your arms?”
Although part of me hated the idea, I couldn’t deny that another part, the feminine part that I often squashed to protect my heart, shuddered in delight.
“You can’t take off that cloak to use your wings. And besides, I would never let go.”
“What if someone sees us? Wouldn’t it be better to walk?”
He shook his head. “The street gang that chased you is one of many on the lookout for known rebels . . . Or people who have distinguishing characteristics like yours. And once others find the bodies, they’ll search the streets for the killer.”
“We can use the rooftops.”
Hatter extended his hand again. “I promise this is better. Faster. Put your back to me so you have a full view, and you’ll soon understand why.”
My eyes narrowed, but he was probably right that soon the alarm would sound. The quicker I worked, the better.
“Fine.” I moved closer to press my back to him.
Hatter wrapped one arm around my waist. Instinctively, my body wanted to shiver, but I repressed the response.
He took one of my hands. I almost pulled it away, but he stopped me. “Don’t let go, whatever you do. If they spot us, they might try to shoot us down. If I have to fight back,” he wiggled the arm around my waist and something squirmed in my stomach. “I’ll make do battling with this hand. But if you hold on to my other one, you won’t fall.”
“Do you think I have a death wish? Let’s go.”
His wings fanned out, and we lifted into the sky. Wisely, Hatter flew straight up into the low cloud cover of the night, and then toward the castle. It was such an expansive building that the lights burned brightly even through the clouds.
When we were directly above it, Hatter spoke. “I’m going to drop now. We might not get to linger, it depends.”
“On . . . ?”
“You’ll see. Just be prepared. I might shoot back up very abruptly.”
I nodded. “I’m ready.”
He descended like an anchor in the ocean. The sensation was thrilling, and I had to admit, a bit scary.
Hatter’s hand was my only safety net, and I didn’t know him. Testing our trust hundreds of feet in the air seemed particularly risky.
The clouds thinned, and the castle came into full view. It took only a couple seconds longer before figures became apparent.
My breath hitched.
I’d expected the castle to be guarded, but not likethis.
Soldiers lined the gates, not to mention every entryway, every window and tower. There had to be at least five hundred standing there, looking out into Heartstown.
“There are wards up too,” Hatter said, his voice soft. “Knowing that, do you still wish to infiltrate tonight?”
“No.” I knew when I’d been beat. “I have more planning to do.”
Hatter didn’t respond, only lifted us back into the clouds, and we soared away from the castle.
Chapter 9
The next day, I felt foolish about trying to take on a well-guarded castle all by my little lonesome. I’d let my emotions get the better of me, something that just days ago I would have found preposterous. I’d never acted that irrationally when Xavier assigned me a job. Theoretically, I should have treated this the same.
It was a damn rookie mistake.
So I decided to put on my big girl panties, find Henri, and convince him that recon needed to begin today.
